Looking for Ways to Catch Jesus

Prayer Practice:

Breath Prayer – Take 2-3 minutes today to pray a simple breath prayer. Get somewhere quiet and relaxing. Breathe in deeply, and then breathe out fully. As you breathe in, ask God to fill you with His presence, grace, love, peace, etc. Consider using the list of spiritual fruit in Galatians 5:22-23. As you breathe out, offer to God the things you need Him to take from you – sin, doubt, shame, anxiety, fear, etc. Pray this way for just a few minutes, trusting God to work, and then begin reading today’s Scripture.

Daily Reading: Luke 20:20-47

Devotional /Reflection

The Debate Is Over'

by Pastor Jeff Morlock

My wife says I enjoy arguing. Guilty as charged, though I prefer the word “debating”. In this passage Luke introduces a series of debates that happen in the Jerusalem Temple, where religious leaders set rhetorical traps for Jesus, hoping to trick him into saying something unpopular or blasphemous so that they can have him arrested.

Trap #1 involves the question of paying taxes to Rome. When Jesus concludes that both Caesar and God should be given that which belongs to them (and bears their respective images) the debate is over. For though tarnished by sin, all human beings bear the image of God. Are you giving your whole self to the Creator, or are their parts of your life that you’re withholding? What aspects of your life are you conceding to the wrong source of authority?

Trap #2 involves the Sadducees, an elite group of priests. While Sadducees don’t believe in the resurrection, they pose a question about it anyway, worded in such a way to imply its absurdity. One woman with seven husbands… what will their relationships with one another be after being raised? This trap is predicated on a single flawed premise: that life in the kingdom of heaven will be just like it is here and now. Jesus reminds them how the Law of Moses proclaims God as “I am”, who is also the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the God. He is the God, not of dead patriarchs, but of those who have been brought from death to life. Again, the debate is over before it starts. If you’re keeping score, that’s Jesus – 2, religious leaders – 0. He evades their traps, answers their questions with authority, and causes them to grow strangely silent.

And now it’s time for Jesus to pose a question (v. 41). By quoting Psalm 110, he makes it clear that these leaders not only have a problem with his claim to both divinity and humanity; they also have a problem with the Hebrew Scriptures, where King David describes the Messiah as simultaneously God and man.

This brings the central issue clearly into focus: Jesus is this long-awaited Messiah! As those who bear His Image, who have his promise of resurrection - how then shall we live? Like the righteous rather than the religious, for starters (vs. 45-47). Do people recognize who you belong to? What might it mean this week to live as one who is being brought from death to life? What idea, habit, or allegiance needs to die in you so that you can fully live this resurrected life in Christ?

Prayer:
Jesus, you are the Way home for all who are lost, for you came to dwell with your people and open the gates of heaven to all who will believe. You are Truth, for you confound the wisdom of the wise and silence your enemies. You are the Life that is truly Life, for you rose again to conquer sin, death, and the evil one, who comes only to steal, kill and destroy. As we move toward the promise of Easter, keep us close to you and help us die to anything that would hinder our risen life in you. Amen.

Looking For Ways to Catch Jesus

PRAYER PRACTICE

Prayer Journal – To begin your daily worship today, grab a pen and paper and write out a prayer to God. Not sure what to write? Try using ACTS to frame your prayer. Begin with adoration for who God is. Then move on to confession – being real about where you have fallen short in the last day or two. Give thanks to God for all that He gives (including forgiveness for the sin you just confessed!). And then finish with supplication – with your prayer requests to God. When you are done, tuck this away somewhere (so you can read it later and see how God has answered your prayers) and then move into hearing from God through His Word.

DAILY READING

 Luke 20:20-47

REFLECTION / DEVOTION

A David Kind of Difference

by Judy Webb

The religious leaders of Jesus' time were a crafty bunch at best. It seems obvious that the Pharisees had a plan, almost from the start. They weren't going to take any chances that Jesus might be who people were claiming him to be, the Messiah. Their futures were at risk. (If they only knew the half of it.)

Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. (Luke 20:20)

There are so many ways that I want to be like Jesus. His prayer life was amazing, getting up while it is still dark and going to a quiet place to pray. His own personal comfort was not high on his list. He understood that his Father in Heaven had work for him to do and Jesus needed to talk it over with him. That is not unlike our needs. God has work for us also, and the only way to discern it is to go to him in prayer and talk it over.

Jesus' forgiving and understanding Spirit is another trait I would love to boast. He knew the Pharisees didn't like him, were afraid of him, wanted to trap him so they could destroy him. Yet, he met with them, spoke and ate with them. I dare say he loved them and would forgive them if they asked. If only I had a heart like that. If all Christians had that kind of burning desire, maybe we wouldn't be in the fix we are in right now. Thankfully, it isn't too late. It will never be too late--until Jesus returns.

So, what are we waiting for? Why do we hesitate when opportunity stares us in the face? When an unbelieving friend or family member brings up the subject of faith, or their life-struggles, why do we not tell them about Jesus? Why don't we relate the many stories of Jesus coming to our rescue? What are we afraid of? That is the million dollar question, isn't it? What are we, what am I afraid of?

I am reminded of David, the giant killer. When preparing to face Goliath, his older brother was mocking him and David responded, "What have I done now? Is there not a cause?” (1 Samuel 17:29 NKJV) The future of David's whole world was at stake. If you read 1 Samuel 17 and study it, you will note that 'the very purposes of God on earth were at stake'. (from Giants will fall by Dutch Sheets)

Right now we American Christians face this very dilemma. Will we stand up for the cause of righteousness. Will we pray and speak against the evil we face today, the giants our our time? Abortion, trafficking, destruction of families, and much more. How can we take a stand, how can we make a difference?  A David difference. 

Closing prayer or question for reflection:  Father God, fill us with an excited spirit. A Spirit of Truth. Give us the courage to reflect that truth and voice it always.